The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-01-27
tecientitlc Americana

tecientinc Americana
Probably ono Of the smallest and most
perfect working models Of . locomotive 10
on exhibition at the American Institute
Fair; II is only one thirty. second tho size
OF the ordinary engine, and yet every de-
tail Is accurately represented ON this
standard. The engine was designed and
built by Mr.. +. Van Fleet OF Williamsport,
Pa, during such time rs he could spare
from mercantile pursuits, and 10 q rare
example Of fine mechanical skill The build
ing occupied from three to four hours day
for two and half years Mr.. Van Fleets
only mechanical training was obtained
during two years spent at Cornell Univer-
sity; he never worked in . shop, nor has
he had any practical experience with
machinery, 60 that the mechanical per-
foctaon OF his work as shown by his To-
connective indicates much genius. His
knowledge Of the locomotive was obtained
By several years Of study of books aud
close examination of engines of various
patterns The miniature locomotive 10
not copied from any of the large ones, but
contains their best features, and consti-
tutes Mr.. Van Fleets ideal Of Q loco
moeive
All tho work was performed with hand
tools--tapA dies files, etc.-the only ma.
chine used being an ordinary foot lathe
All the valves and pistons were ground,
the latter 50 accurately that, although
they will aide Of their own weight they
form . steam-tight fit with the cylinders.
This accuracy OF At was necessary, since
the smallest leak, where the pipes were so
minute, would pgeveot the working of the
engine. Eome Of the pipes measure only
cue sizteenth Of an inch in diameter out
side, and have bore Of one thirty-second
OF IN inch These were made of thin sheet
copper, which was drawn through dies
until the proper sise was attained, when
the meeting edges were soldered. ;
The length Of the engine and tender is 19
inches, tho former being u inches; the
height is 81 inches, and the width 81. The
cylinders are nine sixteenths inch in diam
ster by three-quarters inch stroke Steam,
enters the cylinders through ports one4
sixteenth by three-eights Of an inch, and
makes its exlt through ports three thirty.
seconds by three-eighths Of an inch. These
ports are opened and olosed by slide valves
one-quarter Of an inch wide and three
eighths OF an inch long. The driving
wheels are ~ inches in diameter, the
truck-wheels three-quarters aud the tank
wheels th irteen-sixteentha The main rods
are 2% inches long, and the side rods 2E
inches long and one-eighth inch in width.
The boiler is ~ inches In diameter and 10
inches long, including the extended smoke
box; the fire-box is 214 inches long by ~
wide. One large hue extends through the
boiler, it being necessary to make 1t thi1
way, since tho draught would have been
choked had the number and size of the
tubes found In the ordinery locomotive
been followed The boiler rs built of
brass Jagged with wood and jacketed with
Russia iron bound with German sill
YER straps The steam dome Is inch in
diameter and ~ in height, and is pro-
vided with two safety valves, pop" and
lever, and with the usual whistle. Tho
boiler will safely bear steam pressure of
13 pounds, although tho steam gauge,
which Is one quarter Of an inch in diane
ter, and whose face is illuminated by gem
uine lamp placed directly in front Oft will
only indicate up 10 100 pounds The on
gine is equipped with . perfect "Sellers
improved injector" ~ inches long by one.
eighth Of an inch in diameter. It is also
lifted with full Westinghouse air brake
system, both automatic and straight on
drivers and tank. The air pump is tx
inches long and three-sixteenths in dame
ter. The driver brake cylinders are three
eighths Of an inch long and one-quarter In
diameter. The steel links are 11-16 inch
long, and have slot three thirty-sec
of an inch wide; the link block one-eighth
by three-sixteenths inch. All the nuts are
hexagonal, and there are 100 threads to the
inch in the bolts The stack is one-half
inch in diameter By two in height and
10 provided with q headlight fve-eighths
inch In diameter; one filing of this lamp
with oil will illuminate the track for ono
hoar. The signal lamps are one-half inch
long, and will burn twenty minutes The
engine is provided with very perfect
steam reversing gear designed by Mr.. Van
Fleet. The weight of the engine is about
fifteen pounds. It can be fred and run
the same as the ordinary locomotive, and
Is fitted to burn either oil, coal OF. coke.
fabrication is provided BY oil cups one
thirty second inch bore.
In constructing this locomotive, no COM
plete drawings were made; the separate
parts were taken up, fitted in place and
finished, only such drawings of the details
being made as were found necessary. The
engine is beautifully finished, and the skill
Of the builder is shown by the perfection
and accuracy Of each part even those
which arc partially hidden showing the
Same caro- and skill The materials enter
Ing into the construction of the engine are
gold, silver, German silver, brass, copper,
STEEL, iron sud nickel